"I don't see what being afraid has to do with it,” said Abel, "if it is right to throw-throw; if not, let it alone."

“That is the true philosophy of the matter," said a gentleman who had called to enquire for Mr. Merwin just as he had passed out of sight, and who had lingered a moment to view the prospect, and in consequence overheard the conversation of the boys. "Keep to that rule,” continued he, “and you will make a man. In regard to everything you think of doing, if it is rightdo it; if it is not right-let it alone.”

Matthew lowered his club which he had raised to his shoulder to throw, and waited for the gentleman to retire. He did so immediately, but overheard as he went, the unmannerly remark of Matthew, in a low voice—“ Who are you?" When he was out of sight, Matthew prepared to have his throw; Robert stood by, willing to let him throw, but not quite willing to do so himself.

"You had much better not," said Abel to Matthew. "Why! Do you mean to tell father?"

"Not unless he asks me," said Abel.

"O, if you do," said Matthew, and he made a gesture indicative of what he would do if Abel should tell his father, which gesture we cannot well represent on paper.

Matthew sought to find where he could give the most effective blow, as he was only to give one more. He then planted his feet firmly, and brought back his club over his shoulder preparatory to hurling it with all his strength, when his arm was arrested by a strong hand. Turning round he saw that it was his father's hand.

"I did not mean to throw," said he in great confusion. "Stop," said his father, "do not give me further cause for punishing you. I know what you meant to do. Go into the house."

"Have you been throwing since I left ?" said he to Robert. "No, sir," said Robert, in a tone that was meant to indicate that all thought and desire of disobeying his father was far removed from him.

"Has Matthew been throwing?" said Mr. Merwin to Abel.

"No, sir."

Mr. Merwin did not deem it necessary to ask Abel if he had thrown. He never disobeyed his parents.

Mr. Merwin went into the house and flogged Matthew soundly, first for disobedience, and next for lying.

Will any one say that he did not disobey because he did not throw? It is true that he did not throw the club, but he disobeyed his father just as much as if he had thrown it; he was just as guilty as if he had thrown it. He fully intended to throw it, but was prevented. The guilt of an action is in the intention. You thus may be guilty of crimes which you may never actually commit. If you form the purpose of doing a wrong action, if you fully intend to do it, and are prevented by some unforeseen circumstance, you are just as guilty in the sight of God as if you had performed the action.

Was Robert guilty of disobedience also? Let us see. He desired to throw. There was no disobedience in that desire, if he resolved not to yield to it. There is no sin in being tempted, if we do not yield to the temptation. But Robert indulged the desire, and only refrained from indulging it through fear of his father. He wished to have Matthew throw, and encouraged him to do so. He was guilty of disobedience, though not quite so guilty as Matthew. Still he escaped punishment for a time.

Mr. Merwin was a strong man and did not spare the rod when he took it in hand. Matthew did not at all relish its application. When he had got over crying, and had brushed the stripes out of his clothes, he came in a sheepish manner into the piazza, where his father and brothers and sisters were sitting. They were all very happy except Robert, whose conscience told him that he ought to be punished as well as Matthew. Matthew had just seated himself, when the stranger above mentioned came up.

"How do you do, Governor H— ?" said Mr. Merwin, with the cordiality of an old friend. He next introduced

him to the family. The Governor shook hands with Abel, but only bowed coldly to Matthew. He became a guest of the family for several days. He was very affable, and talked a great deal with the ladies and with Abel, but never spoke to Matthew except when politeness rendered it absolutely necessary. Matthew felt this very keenly. He knew that he deserved the treatment that he received, but that did not make it any more pleasant.

When Governor H- took his leave, he gave Abel a kind invitation to come and see him, and promised to write him. This he did not long after. In his letter he commended him for the good principles he had exibitedgave him some hints for the further improvement of his character, suggested some ways in which he might be useful to his brothers, and requested him to keep him informed of the progress he made in his studies.

Abel felt that the rewards of obedience were meted out to him in rich abundance.

MEMOIR OF GEORGE JEWELL.

GEORGE was born, March 26th, 1845, at Slades, in the county of Cornwall. When in his fourth year, he became a Sabbath-school scholar; and he ever afterwards evinced an earnest desire to comply with the directions of his teachers; and was an example of punctuality; he would be

in school at the proper time. I am sorry to say that this is not the case with all children. Some manifest no concern to be present at the time of singing and prayer; such young persons grieve their teachers, and lose many benefits which they might obtain by being regularly in school at the proper time.

Little George lived a-mile-and-a-half from the school, and had to come, the greatest part of the way, through a wood, along a very bad road; yet he managed to get in time. When he was in the school, he was very attentive. He wished to acquire important information about God, the way of salvation, and his duty towards his fellow creatures. For his general good conduct his teachers presented him with several rewards, as tokens of their esteem. he obtained a book called "The Plant of Renown," a New Testament, a Bible, a Hymn Book, and "The Dairyman's Daughter."

Thus

It was customary for the scholars to commit to memory, during the week, a portion of Scripture selected by the teacher; and George was always ready on the Sabbathday to recite his task. If the day was very wet, so that he could not go to school, he would commit to memory double the number of verses and recite them on the following Sabbath. This was very pleasing to his teachers and his parents. Let me advise you to copy his example.

George also delighted to go to the house of God, to either the preaching or prayer-meeting. On the 12th of November, 1852, George was taken ill with an inflammation in the chest, and a stoppage in the bowels; and his illness proved fatal in a few days. While he was suffering, he was frequently heard praying to Jesus, in his simple way. On his father entering the room, he said, "O father, kiss me;" and added, "I shall not be able to go to school on Sunday." He frequently said, "Lord help me, Lord teach me how to pray, and what to pray for." He also said

""Tis Thine the blood to apply,

And give us eyes to see;
Who did for every sinner die,

Hath surely died for me."

On being asked whether he expected to go to Heaven if he died? he replied, "Yes, I hope". "Why do you think so?" he was asked. He replied, "Because Jesus said, 'Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.' He then asked what day it was? and was told that it was Thursday; "then,” he said, with the utmost serenity, "I shall not be buried before Sunday!" his parents said, "we hope not ;" then he began to sing

"Corruption, earth, and worms
Shall but refine this flesh,
Till my triumphant spirit comes
To put it on afresh."

He then said, "Praise the Lord! Angels are now present to guard my bed." In this state of mind he continued, and his last words were Hallelujah! hallelujah! Thus did George Jewell pass from his relations, teachers, and fellow scholars, to be with God's jewels, and he is now before the throne lost in wonder, love, and praise. I hope the reader will prepare to follow George to that land of pure delight. He was ill only four days. "Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near;" and you will find pardon and peace, which may God grant.

ALEXANDER, the hero-king of Macedonia, had left the Greek philosopher Diogenes with the words, "If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes!" Parmenio the king's lieutenant, alone remained by the tub of the sage. "Singular speech of the hero and king!" observed the lieutenant. "Not so," returned Diogenes; "translate it from the language of royalty into that of the people, and it reads thus: 'I feel myself compelled to honour the